Baby Feeding Apparatus and Related Methods

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus in the form of an animal with a cavity through its head and torso for retaining an infant's bottle or sippy cup. In one embodiment the apparatus further features a storage pocket on the backside of the torso for retaining baby bibs, pacifiers, or extra nipples for the bottle. In a preferable embodiment the torso of the animal features a flat form so that the apparatus may be uprightly positioned while retaining a bottle or sippy cup.

1 . I claim an apparatus for retaining a bottle comprising:
 a housing operationally configured to receive a bottle;   said housing in the form of a stuffed animal toy and said toy having an aperture disposed thereon at the upper portion of said toy for receipt of said bottle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for retaining a bottle of claim one further comprising a cavity within said toy that conceals the bottle, except for a nipple of said bottle which extends external to said stuffed animal toy, where a user can suck said nipple. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for retaining a bottle of claim one further comprising a toy that defines the shape of a teddy bear. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for retaining a bottle of claim one wherein said nipple and bottle extend not more than 2 inches beyond said aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for retaining a bottle of claim two wherein said cavity is formed from water resistant materials. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for retaining a bottle of claim one further comprising a toy that is hypoallergenic. 
     
     
         7 . I claim a method of nourishing an infant while simultaneously entertaining and comforting the infant comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a stuffed animal toy featuring any internal cavity with an opening at its top;   obtaining a bottle and filling it with nourishing liquid and placing a nipple on this bottle;   inserting said bottle into said stuffed animal through said opening at the top of said stuffed animal, wherein the bottom of said bottle is inserted into said stuffed animal first;   snugly securing said bottle inserted stuffed animal toy;   delivering said bottle and stuffed animal toy to in infant, whereby said infant may be nourished and simultaneously entertained.   
     
     
         8 . I claim an apparatus for insulating bottles, amusing infants, and comforting infants, said apparatus in the form of an animal and comprising:
 a head;   a torso that is connected to a bottom portion of the head at a top portion thereof said torso, wherein said torso is generally flat on a bottom portion thereof so that the torso and head may be uprightly positioned thereon said flat portion;   a left arm that is connected to an upper left side of the torso;   a right arm that is connected to an upper right side of the torso; a left leg that is connected to a lower left side of the torso;   a right leg that is connected to a lower right portion of the torso; and,   a cavity that is disposed through the top of the head and into the torso, said cavity configured to receive and retain a nippled bottle so that at least the nipple protrudes from the top of the head.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 9  where a user can suck said nipple. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  in the shape of a teddy bear. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said nipple and bottle extend not more than 2 inches beyond said head. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus for retaining a bottle of  claim 9  wherein said cavity is formed from water resistant materials. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus for retaining a bottle of  claim 10  further comprising a toy that is hypoallergenic. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus for retaining a bottle of  claim 11  wherein said cavity is formed from water resistant materials. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus for retaining a bottle of  claim 12  further comprising a toy that is hypoallergenic. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8  where the user sucks said nipple. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the toy is in the shape of a teddy bear. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said nipple and bottle extend not more than two inches beyond said opening. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said cavity is formed from water resistant materials. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the toy is hypoallergenic.